CASE STUDY
Its design takes inspiration from an essential element of tailoring – the shape of the perfect armhole. This curved line, which in pattern making defines the transition between the shoulder and the lower part of the armpit, is translated into industrial design to create an embracing form that adapts to the body.
The curve of the wood defines the user experience of Ondula. The backrest embraces the body and creates a continuous transition between the different parts of the chair. Around it, a metal arch wraps around and reinforces the structure like a visible seam.
“ The greatest manufacturing challenge was achieving a precise connection between the curved wood and the steel tubing in the backrest and arms,” explains Soledat Berbegal, Director of Brand Reputation at Actiu.“ These are materials with very different behaviours, and joining them requires careful machining and rigorous control of every piece. This process has allowed us to translate an organic silhouette into a product manufactured to the quality standards we seek at Actiu.”
The chair also responds to the practical demands of shared environments. Its backrest functions as a handle, making it easy to move, while its stackable design supports spaces that need to be reorganised and refigured throughout the day. These details make Ondula suitable for offices, hotels, restaurants and other settings where layouts and activities can change regularly.
With sustainability at the forefront of Actiu, the wood comes from controlled logging and is FSC-certified. In addition, Ondula can be completely disassembled into separate single-material components, making separation and recycling easier at the end of its useful life.
“ In tailoring, the armhole is a decisive curve: it allows a garment to adapt to the body and follow its movement,” says José Manuel Ferrero, founder of estudi { H } ac.“ We were interested in transferring this idea to Ondula. The curve of the wood shapes a backrest that embraces the body, while the steel tubing runs through the chair like a visible seam. In this way, a reference to pattern making has helped us resolve both the form and the construction of the piece.”
www. actiu. com
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